Episode 77: Rationalizing & Excusing Abusive Behavior: The return of familiar betrayal & boundaries
Peggy 
Episode Description:
This episode originally aired on YouTube.
In this episode I share a personal story of the heartbreak and betrayal I experienced as a child coming back as a result of people around me rationalizing, minimizing, and excusing abusive behavior.
I talk about the emotional trauma and the painful moments that forced me to confront the lies I was told and, even worse, the lies I told myself. You’ll hear firsthand how the subtlety of manipulation can leave deep scars.
If you're searching for the courage to stand up for yourself or needing a reminder that you’re not alone, this video is for you. Together, we can start the conversation that so desperately needs to happen for the culture of excusing perpetrator behavior to end.
Don’t want to wait for the next episode? Head over to my YouTube Channel, PegygOliveiraMSW, with over 300 videos about Impact & Healing from Childhood Trauma.
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This podcast is for informational purposes and is not mental health advice nor a replacement for professional mental health treatment.
Episode Notes:
- Peggy shares a personal story of betrayal and heartbreak, beginning with a childhood experience where her mother dismissed her disclosure of abuse, leading to years of self-doubt and minimized experiences.
- As an adult, Peggy’s mother again dismissed her experiences by rationalizing the behavior of the abuser, emphasizing the good qualities of her stepfather, which caused Peggy to feel invalidated and betrayed once more.
- Peggy discusses how rationalizing and minimizing abusive behavior is common in families and communities, which can deeply hurt survivors and reinforce their own denial and minimization of the abuse.
- She draws parallels between her personal experience and societal behaviors, particularly in the context of political events where abusive and harmful behavior is excused or minimized by many, reminding her of her personal trauma.
- Peggy encourages others who have felt similarly hurt or dismissed to understand that they are not alone, emphasizing the importance of not taking such dismissals personally, even though the pain is real, and inviting others to share their experiences.
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Categories: : Podcast
